Race Coverage

Beautiful Moments...

Monday, 10 August 2015 06:10

Beautiful Photo - Lisa Lendway with her daughter Hadley. Or is it Adeline?

By Norm Deplume

AGE GROUP NATIONALS - I got excited when I first saw last Saturday's Wave Start List. The 30-34 men would launch in the first wave and the 30-34 women would go next. Because the wave intervals were wide and the fact that the 60+ men were slated for wave #3, I knew that some of our most decorated Minnesota triathletes would enjoy the luxury of being among the first to cross the finish line. We were anxious to see how BENNETT ISABELLA, 32, would fare, as well as LISA LENDWAY, 34, and JESS ROSSING, 30, and several others.

As predicted, former US Athlete of the Year Adam Webber led the 30-34 men out of the lagoon and carried his lead all the way to the finish line, for which he received a champion's welcome. Though he would ultimately place 5th overall, he was, as they say in the golf world, the leader in the clubhouse for almost 80 minutes.

The cheering din had not subsided when the BENNETT ISABELLA sped triumphantly to the finish line. He was the 5th man across. His time was 1:59:43. I couldn't have been happier.

Or could I? ...

The favorite to take the women's 30-34 division and be the first woman to cross the finish line was Corning, New York's Ericka Hachmeister. Like Webber, she proved that she deserved her favored status. And like Webber, she was treated like a champion when she finished in 2:11:11.

Who would be the 2nd woman to cross? Who would be treated like an Olympic silver medalist by the huge crowds and appear larger than life on the Jumbotron?

My heart swelled when LISA LENDWAY, hammering away despite a wonky knee, strode into view. Alabama's Lori Williamson was trying to close the gap and steal the 2nd-place glory but there was no way Lisa was going to be denied. Lisa crossed, walked a few steps, bent over and wept.

I cried, too. In a day with too many beautiful moments to count, this was the highlight of my weekend in Milwaukee.